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Seven awkward moments from Trump's meeting with King Charles in Washington
His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla arrived in Washington on Monday for the monarch’s first U.S. visit since ascending the throne.
Welcomed at the White House by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, the trip has included a visit to the South Lawn’s beehive, a ceremonial military review and a bilateral meeting — as well as several slightly awkward moments between the president and the King. Here are just a few of them.
An uncomfortable handshakeThings got off to an awkward start almost as soon as Trump greeted his royal guests.
The president is known for his firm, often theatrical handshakes, sometimes accompanied by a sharp tug intended to assert dominance. But he might have met his match.
Footage of King Charles’ arrival at the White House has gone viral on social media, with many commenting on how the royal refused to yield — at times appearing to pull the president’s hand towards him.
The battle resulted in an almost ten-second-long exchange.
Trump confesses a crushTrump is trying his toxic beta-male handshake, and Charles is having absolutely none of it. pic.twitter.com/vNjJcdyR2P
— Adam Schwarz (@AdamJSchwarz) April 27, 2026
While giving a speech at the White House, Trump revealed that his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, had a crush on Charles back when he was Prince of Wales.
Speaking about his Scottish mother’s love for the Royal Family, he said: “I remember her saying very clearly, ‘Charles, look, young Charles, he is so cute’.”
He added: “My mother had a crush on Charles — can you believe it?”
Buckingham Palace’s new resident?Trump also expressed an interest in living in Buckingham Palace, after discovering he could be related to the Royal Family.
The Daily Mail reported on Monday that Trump and Charles share a common ancestor, the 3rd Earl of Lennox, apparently making them 15th cousins.
After seeing the report, Trump wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday: “Wow, that’s nice. I’ve always wanted to live in Buckingham Palace!!! I’ll talk to the King and Queen about this in a few minutes!!! President DJT.”
Trump gets handsyA now-viral photo taken by AP photographer Jacquelyn Martin shows the moment Trump gave his wife, Melania, a squeeze on her backside, right in front of the King and Queen.
It appears Trump couldn’t keep his hands off her, because another clip shared on X shows the president’s hand briefly hovering over Melania’s bottom as the pair greet the royals, before he seems to catch himself and quickly moves up to his wife’s waist.
View this post on InstagramMore handshake blunders
Trump has previously drawn criticism for breaches of royal protocol, notably when he walked in front of Queen Elizabeth II during their 2018 meeting, which is considered disrespectful to the monarch.
On Tuesday, a similar moment was captured on camera when he cut in front of Camilla to shake hands with a line of U.S. officials on the White House lawn.
The Queen stepped back and waited awkwardly behind the president, while King Charles was also caught up in the blunder — his hand left hanging in mid-air as he reached for a hand Trump had already taken.
King Charles’ playful jibesKing Charles appeared to charm the room during his address to Congress at a state dinner on Tuesday evening. But he also used the opportunity to make a few lighthearted jokes at Trump’s expense.
At one point, he referenced Trump’s controversial ballroom project, saying: “On this occasion, I cannot help noticing the readjustments to the East Wing, Mr. President, following your visit to Windsor Castle last year.”
He added: “I’m sorry to say that we British, of course, made our own small attempt at real estate redevelopment of the White House in 1814,” referring to when British Troops set fire to the White House in retaliation for the American attack on the city of York (later Toronto), Ontario.
Buckingham Palace steps inKing Charles made a lighthearted joke about President Trump’s White House ballroom construction: "I'm sorry to say that we British, of course, made our own small attempt at real estate redevelopment of the White House in 1814," referencing Britain’s burning of the building during… pic.twitter.com/fcmClJuNn2
— CBS News (@CBSNews) April 29, 2026
Speaking at the same dinner, Trump touched on the war in Iran, saying: “We have militarily defeated that particular opponent, and we’re never going to let that opponent ever, Charles agrees with me even more than I do, we’re never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon.”
King Charles did not comment on the conflict in his speech and is expected to stay politically neutral.
Following Trump’s comments, Buckingham Palace stepped in, with a spokesperson saying on Wednesday: “The King is naturally mindful of his Government’s long-standing and well-known position on the prevention of nuclear proliferation.”
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